CARLSBAD -- Sports like football, baseball and basketball require tireless training and dedication for long term success. So why put swimming in that same category? It's no different. Just ask the Carlsbad High School Swim Camp.

Despite a common misconception that swimming is less competitive by comparison, Coach Michelle White and her staff put forth a very hands-on, full-throttle camp this past week.

It was the second annual camp. From freestyle swimming to butterflies and kick-turns, they instilled some of everything the high school swimmers go through on a regular basis.

"Everything that they need to know, they simulate in here," CHS assistant swim coach Gordon Ingraham said. "I've absolutely seen a lot of growth. I've seen kids develop their stroke, being able to swim up and down the pool. When they first get here, they can swim just length of the pool. As they worked and developed this week, now they can go many lengths of the pool."

As nearly 50 kids participated in the various drills, the staff also took note of their progress.

"Some of these kids, they're just catching on right away," White said. "When they come in at first, I think they're a little intimidated. And then they realize, 'I can do this. I can learn this.'"

Swimmers such as 11-year-old Gunner Christiansen can attest to that.

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"I've never been in a swim meet, honestly. This is my first time doing a swim meet because I've always been scared that I'd lose my matches and all my races," said Christiansen, who won multiple races on Friday. "I was freaked out at first. And now that I've been doing better, I'm not scared anymore. (The coaches) made this experience awesome for me."

While the kids responded well to the structure, they also embraced Friday's multiple swimming events. It was the culmination of utilizing every drill and every little detail they learned.

Of course, they were also inspired to learn from the CHS swimmers and watch them swim first-hand on Friday.

"Hopefully, that'll kind of keep that light bulb on. Anything where you have these older high school kids, little kids look up to them. They want to emulate them; they want to be like them," White said. "I really think that it really pushes home (the idea) that the potential is there for anybody."

It takes a whole lot of discipline, though. That's why the coaching staff want the kids to nail down technique, form and other fundamental teachings immediately. That way, they'll get ahead of curve in hopes of one day joining the CHS swim team. From there, they can start envisioning state meets and participating in them.

"Whenever you go to State and all that, it gets very competitive," said 10-year-old Emily White, Coach White's daughter.

While some used the camp to build on their current abilities, it was the first time others swam competitively. The coaches felt it was important to give the less experienced participants as much as exposure as possible in those five short days.

Moving forward, Coach White wants to continue spreading awareness of the swim camp. More importantly, she wants to keep putting the sport itself on the map. After this past week's turnout, White is contemplating whether to expand the camp from one week to two weeks.

"I don't mind that because the extra work means I have extra kids. I have extra kids wanting to learn and enjoy a sport that not a lot of people understand and realize the potential they can have," White said.

Contact Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead at 575-628-5518.

Zoe Mae Char, 11, preparing to dive into the pool during freestyle drills at the CHS Swim Camp on Monday. (Matt Hollinshead--Current-Argus)